TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Reception of Holy Communion is open to confirmed members of the Lutheran Church—

Missouri Synod who repent of all sins and understand that they receive Christ’s true Body

and Blood, as well as bread and wine, for the forgiveness of their sins. If you are not a

member of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, we respectfully request you speak with

the Pastor before communing. This practice is prompted by love both for God’s Word and

God’s people. Those who are not communing today are invited forward for a blessing.

Please cross your arms across your chest for the blessing. A good tool for use in preparing to

receive Holy Communion is found on pages 329-330 of the hymnal. For further study,

please see: Matthew 5:23-24, 18:15-35, 26:26-29; Acts 2:42; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians

10:16-17, 11:17-33.

AS WE GATHER

The illness and death of Lazarus happened “that the Son of God may be glorified through

it” (John 11:4). Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus prompted His arrest and crucifixion,

whereby He would die “for the nation” and gather “into one the children of God who are

scattered abroad” (John 11:51-52). As He called Lazarus from the tomb and commanded

others to “unbind him, and let him go” (John 11:44), Jesus also calls us and releases us

from the bondage of sin and death. We would not “submit to God’s law,” nor could we

“please God” (Rom. 8:7-8), but “he condemned sin” in His own flesh so “that the

righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us” (Rom. 8:3-4). Now through the

Gospel, “the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells” in us (Rom. 8:11). His

Word breathes His Spirit into our mortal flesh, animating us with His own life. As His

ministers preach according to His divine command, the Lord Jesus calls us from the grave

into the good land that He gives us (Ezek. 37:12, 14).

+ENTER IN SILENCE+ +WAIT IN PRAYER+ +WORSHIP IN REVERENCE+

PRELUDE

DIVINE SERVICE, SETTING FOUR (Page 203-212)

HYMN “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” #686

(Please STAND)

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism. Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]

P: In the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C: who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8

P: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

C: But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. Psalm 130:3-4

P: Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and

receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar,

let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that

we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from

our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite

mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and

saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner. [Luke 18:13]

C: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to

everlasting life. Amen.

P: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake

forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His

authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the †

Son and of the Holy Spirit. [John 20:19-23]

C: Amen.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

INTROIT Ps. 116:1-4, 8 (antiphon: Ps. 116:15)

P: Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

C: I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.

P: Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

C: The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I

suffered distress and anguish.

P: Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!”

C: For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from

stumbling.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the

beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

P: Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

KYRIE ~ Lord, Have Mercy Mark 10:47

(The Kyrie is sung several times in response to various petitions.)

SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you. 2 Timothy 4:22

P: Let us pray.

Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that

we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus

Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

(Please be SEATED)

OLD TESTAMENT Ezekiel 37:1-14

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL [Heb. 12:2]

All: [O come, let us fix our eyes on] Jesus,

the founder and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,

and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

EPISTLE Romans 8:1-11

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

(Please STAND for the reading of the Gospel)

LENT VERSE Joel 2:13

HOLY GOSPEL John 11:1-45

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the eleventh chapter.

C: Glory to You, O Lord.

After the reading:

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ

APOSTLES' CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the

Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The

third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and

sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He

will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of

saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the

life † everlasting. Amen. Christian: the ancient text reads “catholic,”

meaning the whole Church as it confesses the

wholeness of Christian doctrine.

(Please be SEATED)

HYMN OF THE DAY “Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won” #490

SERMON “The Resurrection and the Life” John 11:1-45

Jesus & Lazarus.

I. Martha meets Jesus.

A. We echo her confession.

B. Jesus says, “I AM.”

II. Because Jesus lives, the believer lives.

A. This is true for Lazarus and Martha.

B. Jesus makes alive by His Word.

III. We are given to grieve.

A. You do not mourn without hope.

B. Even now you have eternal life.

Resurrection and Life.

Sermon Listening Worksheet

1. What are we given the honor of doing?

2. What is the “better truth” Jesus tells?

3. Why is Lazarus alive in Christ?

4. How is this resurrection all Jesus’ doing?

5. Describe death’s lack of power before Jesus.

6. Why are you able to mourn with hope?

7. What is the Good News?

P: The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in

Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

C: Amen.

(STAND and sing to the Lord)

OFFERTORY “Create In Me” #956

GATHERING OF OFFERINGS (If you have a completed prayer card, please place it in the offering plate.)

Electronic giving is available via our website or the GivePlusChurch App for smartphones.

During the offering, please sign the red attendance pad and pass it to the person next to you.

“Record of Fellowship” sheets will be collected after the service.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

(P: “Lord, in Your mercy,” C: “hear our prayer.”)

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT (Today we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Because we have a strong desire for all to comprehend

this wonderful gift, we ask that you please review the Communion Statement in the front part of this bulletin.)

PREFACE

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you. 2 Timothy 4:22

P: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them to the Lord. [Colossians 3:1]

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C: It is right to give Him thanks and praise. [Psalm 136]

P: It is truly good, right, and salutary…..evermore praising You and saying:

SANCTUS ~ Holy, Holy, Holy Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

P: Blessed are You, O Lord our God, king of all creation, for You have had mercy on

us and given Your only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not

perish but have eternal life.

The appropriate prayer for the season is said.

The prayer concludes:

Hear us as we pray in His name and as He has taught us:

LORD'S PRAYER Matthew 6:9-13

C: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom

come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our

daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who

trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from

evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and

ever. Amen.

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD

Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

PAX DOMINI ~ The Peace of the Lord John 20:19

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: Amen.

AGNUS DEI ~ Lamb of God John 1:29

►

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION HYMN “Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray” #623

(Please STAND)

NUNC DIMITTIS ~ Song of Simeon Luke 2:29-32

POST-COMMUNION COLLECT

P: Let us pray…one God, now and forever.

C : Amen.

BENEDICAMUS AND BENEDICTION

P: Let us bless the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God. [Psalm 103:1]

Numbers 6:24-26

P: The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and † give you peace.

C : Amen.

(Please be SEATED)

HYMN “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” #575

SILENT PRAYER POSTLUDE

+DEPART IN PEACE+

Our Response to God’s Grace

Faithful Assembled for 3/22 Worship: 36

(0 Visitors)

Faithful Assembled for 3/22 Sunday School & Bible Class: 17

(2 Children)

Faithful Assembled for 3/25 Lent Vespers: 12

Offerings, Tithes, & Firstfruits for 3/22 & 3/25: $ 21,666.47

(Weekly Needs: $2,700.00)

Year to Date Received Offerings: $ 42,866.85

(Year to Date Budgeted Offerings: $32,400.00)

Over 13% of our offerings are given to missions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP—Lent Vespers concludes this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Under the theme “Behold the Man,” this week we consider “A God Who Thirsts.” Out of an abundance of caution and love for our neighbor, there will be NO Lent Meal prior to the service. Continue in your Lenten discipline with faithful midweek worship attendance this Wednesday. HOLY WEEK—Holy Week begins next Sunday, April 5, with the observance of Palm/Passion Sunday. Maundy (Holy) Thursday service, with Holy Communion and the Stripping of the Altar, will be April 9 at 7:00 PM. The Good Friday Service of Darkness will be April 10 at 7:00 PM. Gather with your fellow saints to recall our Lord’s Passion and rejoice in His mercy and grace given freely to us. WORSHIP REMINDER—As noted in the March 20 Pastoral Letter, we will do the following and evaluate on a daily basis:

1. No Bible Class or Sunday School until further notice. 2. Lent Vespers/Maundy Thursday/Good Friday Services continue as scheduled. 3. The Divine Service will be held on Sundays at 9:00 AM AND 10:30 AM. With

an additional service, this will keep our gatherings small and help distance 6 ft. apart.

4. When each gathering in the Sanctuary reaches approximately 15 people, we will use the Fellowship Hall (with live video). Holy Communion will be served in both buildings.

HELP NEEDED—A volunteer is need to serve on the Altar Guild for the month of April. If you are able to help, please visit with Pastor Wehmeyer. REMINDER—Services are broadcast live and then archived on our Facebook page. The bulletins remain on our website for a week so you may follow along while watching from home, should you not be able to attend in person. ONLINE GIVING—Don’t forget that we offer online giving through the secure services of Vanco. Visit our website (www.divinesaviorlc.org) or download the GivePlusChurch App for smartphones to sign up today. You can make a one-time donation or set up a regular, recurring offering. EASTER CANDY—We are collecting donations of candy for the Easter Egg Hunt. We do not need any plastic eggs, but we are in need of lots of candy. Please bring your candy donations no later than next Sunday, April 5. NOTE: We will be postponing the hunt for later in the Easter season. EASTER BREAKFAST—Out of an abundance of caution and love for our neighbor, there will be NO Easter Breakfast this year. PORTALS OF PRAYER—Pick up your copy of the April-June quarterly issue of Portals or Prayer in the Narthex today, if you have not already done so. This is great tool for use in personal and family devotions. A limited number of large print editions are also available. ROMANS 8:1—“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This is the joy of the Gospel. There is no condemnation for us before the throne of God, because in His love He has provided salvation for us in Christ. We have been set free. We are His children once again, and coheirs with Christ of all the blessings of heaven. If this does not make us thankful, nothing will.

THIS WEEK @DSLCDevine

Wednesday: Choir Practice (5:45 p.m.) NO Lent Meal Lent Vespers (7:00 p.m.) Next Sunday: Divine Service with Holy Communion (9:00 a.m.) Coffee (10:00 a.m.) Divine Service with Holy Communion (10:30 a.m.) Church Council meeting following the Divine Service

PRAYER REQUESTS

(Prayer requests will be printed for two weeks. Afterward, they will be printed in the newsletter for one month.)

*New Prayer Request

Thanksgivings and Celebrations “Let us come into His presence with a song of thanksgiving” (Psalm 95:2)

Surgeries and Healings “For I am the Lord who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26)

Kenneth Catherson, following surgery—requested by Robert Martin

Gissell Martin, following accident—wife of Robert Martin

Mary Feltner, health issues

Thea Marie Keskinen-Burke, following medical tests

Carla Boehle

Christine Fear

Karlee Riser—great-granddaughter of Glen & La Nell Felps Claudia Carberry

Hospice “The Lord bless you and keep you…” (Numbers 6:24)

Linda Crowell—friend of Margaret McCloskey

Special Needs and Concerns “Our God is compassionate.” (Psalm 116:5)

Jaime Ramirez—requested by Amanda Keskinen Anton Marheine—grandfather of Amanda Keskinen & Rebecca Ricky Dozal

Deaths

“I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25a)

Family of Kayla Quintero—relative of Johnny Schuknecht

Cancer Patients and all their family members “I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” (Jeremiah 33:6b)

Kathy Bellmore, malignant brain tumor—sister of Judi Jopling